Rolling mill



Jam, 5, 1937. H. L. SCHRECK ET AL ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 14. 1933 'T Sheets-Sheet J.

L. SCHRECK El AL. 2,065,743

ROLLING MILL' Filed Aug. .14, 1933 amt M Jan. 5, 193 7. SCHRECK ET AL 2,@66,743

ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 14, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 1:

[ER $1 a I Q & g] g 7 L R nu 7 f Jan. 5, 1937.. H. L. SCHRECK ET AL ROLLING MILL Filed Aug. 14, 1953 7 Sheets-Shet 5 9 H. L. SCHRECK ET AL 2,066,743

ROLLING MILL .Filed.Aug. 14, 1933 a 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 /Z&

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 ulvrrran; STATES PATENT OFFICE V zmam. v

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Hans L. Schreck, Easton, Pa., and Alexander K. Hamilton, Chicago, 111., assignors to Treadwell- Engineering Company, Easton, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 14, 1933, Serial No. 4.959% Claims. (Cl. 80-31.1)

The present invention relates to rolling mills and particularly to vertical mills of the type most irequently used in association with horizontal mills in the fabrication of elongated bars.

The invention contemplates the provision of a vertical mill, the cooperating rolls of which are 7 located at the upper ends of parallel vertically disposed spindles, the roll supporting, roll adjustthe rapid and accurate simultaneous adjustment of the positions of the rolls but also for the adjustment of the rolls relatively to each other. It is thus easily possible to bring the rolls, respectively, into any desired positions relatively to the rolls of any horizontal mill in connection with which the vertical mill may be utilized, and it is also possible to quickly and easily efiect relative adjustment or the rolls to secure proper registratlon and coaction of the grooves thereof in turning out bars, the finished cross-sectional dimen- 30 sions of which must be accurate within very small tolerances. I

The mill is provided with means for the protection oi the spindle supporting bearings, driving mechanism, etc., from the action of water d and scale falling from the vicinity of the mill rolls. It likewise includes a novel driving mechanism having individual driving motors for the two rolls respectively, the connection between each 50 course may have various-iorms depending upon local requirements and uses and purposes to which the mill is to be put, is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: 55 Figure l is aside elevation oi the mill;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a section on line of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figure 51s a section online 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-45 of Fig. 3; 5

Figure 7 is a partial section on line of Fig. 6;.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 oi -Fig. 3;

Figure 9 is a section online 99 of Fig. 3;

Figure 1l. is a section on line ll-ll of Fig. 1. The rolls of the vertical mill are indicated at It and II, these rolls being fixed, respectively, upon the upper ends of the parallel vertical spindies I2 and I3, which spindles are in turn carried by a two-part main frame I l. The main frame is adjustably supported upon a sub-frame I5, and

the sub-frame is carried by a base l6 which may conveniently be mounted upon a concrete or other extending members 20 and 2|, the side rails being also secured to the concrete base at a plurality of intermediate points, if desired, by means of holding-downbolts such as are indicated at .22. Base rails l8 and I8 comprise slideways or tracks upon which the sub-frame l5 may be horizon- 30,

tally moved or adjusted, this sub-frame having horizontally extending rail engaging wings 23 and 24, with flanges 23' and 24' which project downwardly into positions to engage, respectively, parallel outer surfaces of the heads of the 5 rails i8 and I9 and to thus prevent lateral displacement of the sub-frame on the supporting base. Locking bolts, one of which is indicated at 25 in Figure 11, extend through flanges 23 and 24 respectively at points just inside of the 0 inner faces 01. the heads of rails l8 and I9, these bolts being provided with enlarged heads 26, which project under the rail heads respectively, and having clamping nuts 21 by means 01' which the sub-frame can be rigidly clamped, in any desired position of adjustment, to therails l8 and l9. when it is desired to adjust the sub' frame longitudinally on the base. nuts 21 can, '0! course, be loosened, these nuts being again tightened after the adjustment has been completed.

. For eil'ecting longitudinal sliding movement of the sub-frame upon the base underthe close control of the operator, anelectriciiiotor' 28 is provided, rigidly mounted upon the foundation Figure 10-is a section on line Ill-I001 Fig. 2; 10 ,and

and connected to the sub-frame by mechanism including a short shaft 29 connected to the motor shaft through a flexible coupling 36, a pinion 3| fixed on shaft 29, and a gear 32 meshing with pinion 3| and having an interiorly threaded hub 33 rotatably supported upon the horizontally disposed threaded shaft 34, the inner end of which is rigidly secured to the sub-frame, as shown in Figure 3. Pinion 3| and gear 32 are enclosed within the housing 35 integral with or aflixed to the cross member 2| of the base, the hub portion 33 of gear 32 being rotatably supported in spaced bearing members 36 and 31 fixed within this housing, these bearing members likewise comprising limiting stops preventing movement of gear 32 axially of shaft 34. As shaft 34 is non-rotatable, it follows that energization of the motor 28, which is reversible, in either direction, will result in sliding movement of the sub-frame on the rails l6 and |9, provided, of course, that the holding-down bolts 25 previously referred to have been loosened. By

this means simultaneous horizontal movement of the rolls is effected, these rolls being supported, of course, by the main frame M which is in turn carried by the sub-frame and movable with it.

The square box-like main frame M has 'downwardly projecting from each corner thereof a threaded bolt, these bolts being indicated at 40,

' the upper ends of the bolts being rigidly attached to the main frame as shown in Figure 6, and the lower or threaded portions passing through parallel apertures in the sub-frame. Mounted upon the sub-frame are four rotatable worm wheels 4|, these wheels being interiorly threaded so as to have threaded engagement with bolts 46, respectively, and being exteriorly toothed so as to have engagement with the threads of worm gears 42 fixed upon shafts 43. It will be understood that there are two shafts 43, and upon each such shaft are afiixed two worm gears, there being four worm gears in all and four of the worm wheels 4|. Mounted upon the projecting ends of shafts 43 (Figure 7) are gears 44, which gears in turn mesh with a pinion 45 fixed on the shaft of a motor 46, which motor is mounted upon a bracket 41 affixed to the end of the subframe and movable therewith. It is clear that, by rotation of the rotor of motor 46 in one direction, the four gears 4| will be simultaneously rotated'and will therefore equally and simultaneously coact in raising or lowering the main frame by simultaneously lifting or lowering the nonrotatable threaded bolts 46 rigidly secured to the main frame. It thus appears that the operator, by the manipulation of motor, whichis always under his close control, can raise or lower the main frame of the mill as desired'to bring any selected grooved pass of the mill rolls to the desired and necessary elevation. The main frame will remain at the desired elevation by reason of the fact that the raising and lowering gearing just described is of the non-reversible typ For the purpose of relieving the lifting screws '46 of any laterally or horizontally exerted forces which might otherwise be exerted upon them during operation of the mill, I provide two parallel guide posts, indicated at 56 and 5| respectively, the lower ends of these posts being firmly anchored to the sub-frame and the upper portions thereof slidably fitting within correspondingly formed recesses of the main frame, these recesses bein'g preferably lined by bushings 52 and 53 of anti-friction metal. The guide posts 56 project into the apertures in the main frame for all possible vertical adjustments of the main frame upon the sub-frame and hence provide the necessary lateral support at all times.

The box-like main frame itself is formed in two parts, the larger portion 66 having a recess at one 'end within which the smaller portion 6| is enclosed, these portions being relatively adjustable for the purpose of bringing the rolls l6 and into the desired horizontal and vertical relationship. Spindle |2 of roll I0 is supported in tapered bearings 62 and 63, and spindle 3 of roll I is likewise supported in similar bearings 64 and 65. Bearings 62 and 63 are, however, mounted upon the larger part 66 of the main frame while bearings 64 and 65 are mounted upon the smaller part 6| I thereof. Fixed on spindle l2 just below bearing 62 is a driving gear of beveled type, indicated at 66, the teeth of this gear facing downwardly and meshing with the teeth of a beveled pinion 61 fixed on the end of drive shaft 66 mounted in suitable bearings supported by the frame, the outer end' of the drive shaft 68 being connected by means'of a'fiexible coupling 63 with the rotor of a driving motor 10 mounted upon a bracket 1| fixed to and supported by the main frame. It will be noted that the diameter of gear 66 is somewhat greater than the interiorly toothed at 15, and meshing with these teeth are longitudinally curved teeth 16 formed on the end of a shaft 11 which is in turn connected through a flexible coupling 16 with the rotor of a driving motor 19. Motor 19 is in turn supported upon a bracket 66 fixed to the end-of the main frame portion 66 and supported thereby. The driving connection between the motor 19 and pinion l3 permits, by reason of the peculiar intereng'agement of shafts 14 and TI, slight relative adjustment, both in vertical and horizontal directions, of the frame portion 6| relatively to the frame portion 66. Roll Il may therefore be horizontally and vertically adjusted relatively to the roll without interrupting or straining the driving connection between this roll and its driving motor 19.

The tapered bearings which support the vertical spindles 2 and I3 not only rotatably carry these spindles and hold them against displacement in a horizontal plane but likewise carry the spindles and rolls and hold them against vertical movements, thus eliminating the necessity of using step or thrust bearings. Cap or housing members are indicated at 6| and 62 respectively, these members having their margins secured to housing portions 66 and 6| and enclosing, with these housing portions, the spindles, bearings, and driving gearsv and protecting these parts from contact with water and scale which fall from the vicinity of the rolls l6 and II during rolling operations. As is obvious also, the housings 6| and 62 assist in supporting the bearings respectively and, in order to withstand the strains transmitted thereto by the bearings are firmly bolted to the associated frame portions, as indicated at 64 (Figure 5). The housings are of generally similar shape except in that the enlarged portions 2,000,748 9| and 92' thereof, which enclose and protect the driving gears 99 and 12 respectively, are differently positioned by reason of the location of these gears in different horizontal planes. The

distance between the housings is quite sufficient to allow for all possible relative adjustments of the spindles and rolls. Beneath bearings 93 and 85 are cup-like closure plates 85 and 89 respectively,'each of these plates being secured in part to the associated housing and in part to the main frame portion to which the associated housing is attached.

As may be seen most clearly from Figures 4, 5, and 6, the main frame portion 6| is adjustably carried by the main frame portion 6|), four adjusting screws 99, which extend through interiorly threaded sleeves 9| in inwardly extending flanges 92 of main frame portion 69, having at their upper ends hardened steel blocks 93 which bear against the under surfaces of outwardly extending flanges 6 I of frame portion 99. The entire weight of frame portion SI, roll I I, spindle I3, and its associated bearings and driving gearing is transmitted to the main frame portion 60 through the adjusta ing screws 99. Vertical adjustment of frame portion GI relative to frame portion Gil is efiected by simultaneous rotation of the four adjusting screws just referred to, and, for the convenience of the operator in effecting the vertical adjustments of roll II relatively to roll III, mechanism is provided for effecting such simultaneous move- -ment of the adjusting screws.

This mechanism comprises parallel shafts 92' and 93', respectively, rotatably supported in suitable bearings in the main frame portion 60 and each carrying two spaced worms, which worms are indicated by the numeral 94, the teeth of each of these worms being in mesh with the teeth of a worm wheel 95 keyed upon the lower end of the associated adjusting screw 90. Each of shafts 92' and 93' also carries, fixed upon the end thereof which projects beyond the end of frameportion 60, a

spirally toothed gear 96, the teeth of which gears mesh respectively with the mating teeth of gears 91 fixed upon cross shaft 98. This cross shaft is rotatably supported in gear housings 99 affixed to the ends of the main frameportion 69. To one end of shaft 98 is keyed a wheel I havinga plurality of radially extending recesses IIlI, into any one of which a suitable hand lever may'be inserted by means of which the wheel maybe rotated with the result that the adjusting screws sirable in promoting extreme accuracy in rolling instance as rounds. In is highly important that be exactly opposed'to the certain shapes, such for the rolling ofrounds, it the grooves of one roll grooves of the companion roll in order that the i extending parallelbars or'tie rods 9, each bar,

75 having an eye-at one end through which extends resulting bar shall have anexactly circular crosssection. j

Mechanism is likewise provided for effecting longitudinal sliding movement of the main frame portion SI relative to the main frame portion 69, frame p0 tion 6i sliding longitudinally of the mill .upori the hardened steel blocks 93. This mechanism is mostclearly shown in Figures 1, 2, and 9 and comprises essentially two horizontally 'rotation of these gears. .at IIB, which nuts must,

prior to any adjustment toward the left (Figure 9). At all events the lock nuts IIG are brought radial recesses effected. This means so and til.

9. cross rod III, the ends of which are in turn received within suitable apertures formed in the upstanding lugs II! integral with the main frame portion 90. -A spacer is indicated at H3. The opposite ends of rods I II) project through parallel apertures formed in the upper part of main frame portion GI, and the outer ends of these rods are respectively received within casings Ill, within which casings arehoused wormgears I I respectively, these gears being interiorly threaded so as to have threaded engagement with rods IIIL Gears 5 are confined by the casings in which they are housed against movement relative to main frame portion GI and axially of rods III! so it follows that, upon rotationof' gears II5 simultaneously in one direction, main frame portion 6| will be movedeither to the left or to the right (Figure 9), depending upon the direction of Lock nuts are indicated of course, be loosened into tight engagement with frame portion SI,

- after an adjustment has been effected, to lock this member against movement.

In order to effect rotatory movement of gears I I5 simultaneously and through the same angular distances, an actuating device is provided which comprises essentially a rotatably mounted cross shaft I" having fixed thereon worms II8, the teeth of whichrespectively mesh with those of worm wheels II5. Cross shaft II1 carries at its outer end a hand wheel II9 having a series of I29 into which a spoke or hand lever may be inserted to provide sufficient leverage for easy rotation-of this member. Obviously, upon rotation of shaft I I1, gears I I5 will be simultaneously moved through equal angular distances and sliding movement of frame part BI upon the hardened blocks 93 effected. Holding-down bolts, which function to assist in holding the frame portions 89 and 9| tightly clamped together for all possible relative positions of adjustment, are indicated at I2I, these bolts having nuts I22 thereon which must be loosened prior to any adjust-ment of frame portion 9|, whether vertical or horizontal, and which are tightened after such adjustment has been effected. In order that these bolts shall not interfere with the sliding movements of frame portion 6|, this frame portion is slotted as at I23 (Figure 9), the bolts projecting through these several slots respectively.

Means is also provided for causing members 90 and GI to be tightly engaged and frictionally locked laterally of the mill, during all periods of mill operation and in fact at all times except when relative adjustment of these parts is being includes wedging elements I25, of which there are two (Figures 5, .6, and 9),

each of these wedges being adapted to fit be-- tween and engage two relatively inclined mutually facing surfaces of the main frame members Holding-down bolts for the wedges are indicated at I29, each of these bolts having a T -head I26 which engages in a T-slot formed in main frame member 69. By tighten-' ing the nuts I21, the wedges may be forced down into the wedge-receiving recess as tightly as may be desired with the result that the/mainframe part or portion 6| is thrust to the i eft (Figure 5), the side thereof which lies opposite the wedges being thrust with'great force'against the adjac ept side wall of portion 69 of the main frame.

my means of the wedges just described and the the other and main frame portion ti is firmly and rinned and secured within'main frame portion 80. Naturally the wedges are released, as well as the nuts I22 oi the holding-down bolts, if relav tive adjustment of 'the rolls is to be eifected.

It will be appreciated that, in the design of mills to serve in different'steel plants, the design and arrangement of the several component elements of the invention may be varied to comply with local requirements, without departure from the spirit and scope thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vertical mill, in combination, a twopart main frame, one part being supported upon being horizontally and vertically adjustable relatively thereto, two spaced parallel roll spindles rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two main frame parts, rolls fixed upon corresponding ends of said spindles, spaced bearings supporting said spindles respectively, and a driving gear fixed on each-spindle intermediate the supporting bearings for said'splndle, each driving gear being of greater diameter, than the asgears being unequally as to overlap without sociated roll and said spaced from the rolls so interfering.

2. In a vertical mill, in combination, a twopart main frame, one part being supported upon the other and being horizontally and vertically adjustable relatively thereto, two spaced parallel roll spindles rotatably mounted, respectively, on

the two main frame parts, rolls fixed upon corresponding ends of said spindles, spaced bearings supporting said spindles respectively, a driving gear fixed on each spindle intermediate the supporting bearings for said spindle, each driving gear being of greater diameter than the associated roll and from the rolls so as to overlap without interfering, and a driving pinion foreach of said gears, the axes of rotation of said pinions being in substantial alignment.

'3. A vertical mill having a main frame formed in two parts, one of said parts having a recess within which-the other is adjustably housed,

.means for efl'ecting relative vertical and horizontal adjustments of said parts, and means including a wedging element attached to one of said parts and adapted to bear against the other, for locking said partsrigidly in any desired position of adjustment, said last mentioned means including vertically disposed holding-down bolts to prevent vertically upward movement of one part relatively to the other, and a plurality of vertically adjustable wedges positioned intermediate oppositely facing substantially vertically disposed surfaces of said parts.

4. In a vertical rolling mill of the class described, in combination, a base, a sub-.framemounted for rectilinear sliding movement upon said base, power means mounted on said base for sliding said sub-frame, a main frame mounted for relative vertical movement and adjustment upon said sub-frame, power means carried by said sub-frame for eil'ecting said vertical movement of the main frame, rolls carried by said main frame, and power means carried by said main frame for driving said rolls.

5. In a vertical rolling mill of the class described, in combination, a base, a sub-frame mounted for rectilinear sliding movement upon said base, an electric motor moimted on said said gears being unequally spaced main frame supported base for sliding said sub frame, a main frame mounted for relative vertical movement and adjustment upon said sub-frame, an electric motor carried by said sub-frame for effecting said vertical movement of the main frame, vertically disposed rolls carried by said main frame, and individual'electric motors carried by said main frame for driving said rolls.

6. In a vertical rolling mill of the class described, in combination, a base, a sub-frame mounted for rectilinear sliding movement upon said base, power means mounted on said base for sliding said sub-frame, a main frame mounted for relative vertical movement and adjustment upon said sub-frame, power means carried by said sub-frame for eiIecting said vertical movement of the main frame, said main frame comprising two parts, one part being supported upon said adjusting means and the other of said parts being vertically and horizontally adjustable with relation to said cooperating rolls respectively ,carried by said mainframe parts, power means carried by said first named part for driving said rolls, and a '25 flexible driving connection for the roll carried by said second named part.

7. In a rolling mill, a base, a substantially first named part, vertical closed housing disposed vertically thereof, and" carried on ways thereon, means for adjusting the housing transversely of the base, a shaft journaled in the housing with its upper end projecting therefrom and having a roll thereon, a power transmission extending'into the housing from a point laterally thereof and intermediate the ends of said shaft, a motor support projecting laterally of the housing, a motor thereon coupled to said power transmission, and a second housing on said base having a shaft journaled means operatively connecting each motor to the adjacent spindles at a point intermediate the ends of the spindle, one such power transmission means being flexible, to permit relative vertical adjustment of the spindles.

9. In a rolling mill, in combination, a base, a main frame supported on the base for vertical adjustment relatively thereto, parallel vertically disposed roll carrying spindles, means rotatably supporting said spindles in the main frame for relative vertical adjustment, said means including two vertically spaced bearings for each spindle, a driving motor for each spindle, each such motor being horizontally spaced from the associated spindle and rigidly supported upon the main frame, and a power transmission device operatively connecting each motor to the associated spindle at a point intermediate the vertically spaced bearings in combination, a base, a on the base for vertical 10. In a rolling mill,

adjustment relatively thereto, parallel vertically rigidly supported upon the main frame, and a disposed roll carrying spindles, two vertically shaft operatively connecting each motor to the spaced bearings rotatably supporting each spingear fixed upon the associated spindle, said shafts die in the main frame, a gear fixed on each being also rotatably' supported, respectively, in

5 spindle intermediate said bearings, a driving mothe main frame.

tor for each spindle, each such motor beinghori- HANS L. SCHRECK. zontally spaced from the associated spindle and ALEXANDER K. HAMILTON. 

